LEFT-SIDED CHEST PAIN — IS IT ALWAYS THE HEART?
Left-Sided Chest Pain: Is It Always the Heart? Left-sided chest pain is one of the most common symptoms that makes people worry about their heart. And rightly so—heart-related chest pain can sometimes be a medical emergency. However, not every left-sided chest pain is caused by the heart. Problems involving the muscles, ribs, lungs, stomach, or even nerves can also cause pain in the left side of the chest. The important question is: How can you tell when chest pain may be coming from the heart, and when should you seek urgent medical attention? What Can Cause Left-Sided Chest Pain? There are several possible causes of pain on the left side of the chest. 1. Heart-related causes Heart-related chest pain can occur when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Common cardiac causes include: * Angina * Heart attack (myocardial infarction) * Inflammation around the heart (pericarditis) * Certain heart rhythm problems * Other conditions affecting the heart or coronary ...